Compare the2023 Audi Q3VS 2023 BMW X4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q3 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Q3 and X4 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X4’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Both the Q3 and the X4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 134 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X4 has not been tested, yet.

The Audi Q3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the X4’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Q3 45 TFSI gets better fuel mileage than the X4 M40i (21 city/28 hwy vs. 21 city/26 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X4 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q3 higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW X4 (5 to 7). This means the Q3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X4 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Q3’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X4:

For better traction, the Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X4 (255/45R19 vs. 245/44R20).

For better maneuverability, the Q3’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the X4’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

The Audi Q3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the BMW X4.

The Q3 is 11 inches shorter than the X4, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q3 has .1 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the X4.

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the X4 with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 18.5 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Q3 has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Insurance will cost less for the Q3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Q3 will cost $1830 to $4180 less than the X4 over a five-year period.

The Q3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q3 will retain 50.79% to 50.87% of its original price after five years, while the X4 only retains 49.07% to 49.17%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi Q3 will be $16642 to $21615 less than for the BMW X4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Audi Q3 outsold the BMW X4 by almost three to one during 2022.